Walking Skeleton

A walking skeleton is a stripped-down, minimal version of a system that showcases core functionality. It's essentially a bare-bones prototype that can actually run and demonstrate the basic idea. Here's how you can create one:

  1. Identify the Core Functionality:
    • What's the absolute minimum set of features needed to prove the concept?
    • Focus on a single, crucial end-to-end process. Don't get bogged down in bells and whistles.
  2. Choose Your Building Blocks:
    • Leverage existing code from past projects if possible.
    • Look for open-source libraries or templates that can provide a foundation.
    • You can also build from scratch, but prioritize efficiency here.
  3. Prioritize Functionality over Perfection:
    • The goal is to get something working, not to craft a polished product.
    • Use stubs or mocks for non-essential components to keep things simple.
    • Focus on demonstrating the core logic and data flow.
  4. Keep it Running:
    • Ensure the core functionality executes successfully, even if it's basic.
    • This is the "walking" part of the skeleton - it should function at a rudimentary level.